Ietailic packing for piston and valve rods



(No Model.) -3 She'ts-Sheet 1.. G. T. SLEEPER.

} METALLIC PACKING FOR PISTON AND VALVEBODS. No. 300,653. Patented June17,1884.

(No Model.) A 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. T. SLEEPER. I

' METALLIC PACKING FOR PISTON AND VALVE RODS.

No. 300,653. Patented June 17, 1884 EIIH .Wum

& L0 9 e h s m Av e h S 3 R E P E E L S T U (No Model.)

METALLIC PAGKING FOR PISTON AND VALVE RODS.-

Patented June- 17', 1884.

e J 0 o UNITED STATES PATENT CEEicE.

CHARLES T. SLEEPER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 300,653, dated June 17,1884.

Application filed Febiuary 29, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES T. SLEEPER, of Chicago, in the county ofCook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Metallic Packing for Piston and Valve Bods, &c.; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the inventiomsueh as will enable others skilled in theart to whichit appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in metallic packing for pistonand valve rods, 820.

The object of the invention is to provide a metallic packing that shallbe complete in itself, and adapted to be applied to a piston or valverod 011 the outside of the ordinary stuffing-box, whereby it may berelied on as the sole means for packing the rod, or may be used inconjunction with and supplemental to an ordinary stuffing-box packing. Afurther object is to provide ametallic packing that shallbeindependentof the stuffing-box, and adapted to be self-adjustable laterally, andthereby retained in perfect alignment with the moving rod, and thuscause the packing to be subj ected to even and uniform wear. A furtherobject is to provide a metallic packing with devices for readilyexpanding and contracting the packing-rings to insure their fitting therod in a steam-tight manner, and yet prevent both the rod andpacking-rings from being subjected to any undue friction or wear. A

, further object is to provide sectional metallic packing-rill gs withoverlapping joints, as will be hereinafter described, for preventing theescape of steam past the rings.

WVith these ends in view my invention consists in certain features ofconstruction and combinations of parts, as will hereinafter bedescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of myimproved metallic packing. Fig. 2 is a similar view with one of therings removed to show the packing rings. Fig. 3 is a vertical section.Fig. 4 is a detached view in perspective of the camring and thefollower. Fig. 5 is a detached plan view of one of the packingrings.Fig. 6 is an edge view of the packingring. Fig. 7 is a view inperspective of one section of the packing-ring. Fig. Sis atransversescction of a stuffing-box having my improvement appliedthereto, and Fig. 9 is a plan view of the packing applied to astuffing-box.

A represents a casing or box, consisting of 5 5 the two sections at a,which are provided with lugs I), through which rivets or screws b areinserted for securing the two parts of the easing together. Sections a aare constructed with inwardlyprojecting flanges b thereby forming aninternal annular groove, If. Within the groove b is-seated the cam-ringB, the

periphery of which is provided with a segmental worm-gear, C, with whichengages the worm C on the shaft C the latter being journaled in bearingsc 0, formed in a projection, c on the sections of the casing. One end ofthe shaft C is provided with a handle, 0 for turning the shaft. By meansof the worm and worm-gear the cam-ring may be turned in either directionand be retained against accidental displacement. Cam-ring B is providedwith four cam-surfaces, D, each of which constitutes one-quarter of thecircumference of the cam-ring. The casing or box A is slotted at d forthe reception of the arms 6 e on each one of the followers F, said armsbeing constructed and arranged to move radially through or within thecasing. Each follower is provided with an arc-shaped plate,- F. The camsD are each constructed with a groove, f, on its side, into which isreceived a lug, f, that projects from the inner side of one of the armson-the follower. When the cam-ring is rotated in one direction, the camsengage the cross-bars g on the follower and gradually force the followerinwardly toward the center of the casing. \Vhen the cam-ring is rotatedin the opposite direction, the followers are forced or drawn outwardlyby the engagements of the lugsf in the groovesfin the sides of thecams.

WVithin the interior of the box or casing A are located the twosectional packing-rings H, each one consisting of the two sections h71.. Each section is made with the ends reduced in width at t i, whichreduced ends enter the interior recesses, i in the opposite section. Theperipheries of the sections are cut away at P, so as to form overlappingjoints i on the periphery. Thus it will be observed that when the twosections are interlocked or joined they will form overlapping joints jj, which will effectually prevent the escape of steam, and yet allow thesections to be contracted in diameter to compensate for wear. Theserings are made of any metal or alloy suitable for the purpose of' ametallic packing. Encircling the packing-rings are thetwo semicircularbands J J, which fit against the rings, and receive the pressure exertedby the followers to compress the rings. These bands may be made of steelor any hard metal, and prevent the followers becoming embedded in therings, and thereby insure the free operation of the latter; but, ifdeemed advisable these bands may be dispensed with. Annular rings K K,of slightly less diameter than the inner diameter of the box or casingA, are placed on the outer face or surfaces of the packing-rings toserve as hearings or seats. My improved packing may be secured in themanner illustrated in Fig. 8. The casing is seated against the end ofthe gland L of the stuffingbox L, the ring K resting against the glandand constituting a seat for the casing, with its contained packing.

M represents the studs of the stufiing-box, which extend through theface-plate N, having a flange, n, that rests upon the end of thestuifing-box, thereby forming an interior receptacle for the casing A.The face-plate is.

secured in place by the nuts m, screwed onto the outer ends of the studsM. A nut, 0, encircles the piston-rod P, and is screwed into theface-plate, the inner end of the nut engaging the ring K on the outerside of the packing. By regulating the adjustment of the nut O thepacking may be retained in snug contact with the end of the gland, andthereby be prevented from moving with the piston-rod, and yet be alloweda free lateral movement, so as to be self-adjustable, and be retained inperfect adjustment with the piston-rod. The nut O is provided with asocket, 0, inits side, into which is received the end 0 of the springthe opposite end of which is bent downwardly, as at q. The face-plate isprovided with a series of holes or sockets, q. When the nut is properlyadjusted, the end (1 of the spring is inserted in one of the holes'q inthe face-plate, and thus the nut is prevented from becoming displaced;and, further, the nut automatically takes up any wear in the face-plateor gland or annular rings seated against the packing. The spring Qconstantly tends to rotate the nut and force it against the ring K. Thecontinued use of the packing will result in wear of the faceplate, ringsK K, or outer surface of the gland, owing to the lateral adjustment ofthe packing while in use; and in order to preserve a steam-tight jointbetween the packing and the gland or cylinder under all circumstances Ihave provided the spring Q, which acts on the nut in the manner stated.I do not limit myself to this particular device for accomplishing thisresult, as other constructions and arrangement of parts might beemployed for this purpose.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the improved packing may bereadily applied when the ordinary stuffing-boxes are employed andwithout necessitating the removal of or any change being made in thestufling-boxes, so that comparatively little expense is incurred in theapplication of the improved packing. As the adjusting-shaft is locatedoutside of the stufiingbox, the packing may be readily and quicklycontracted in diameter to compensate for any wear, and thereby insure asteamtight joint. This packing has advantages not possessed by that typewherein steam or spring pressure is resorted to for setting the packing,as it serves to pack the rod, irrespective of the direction in whichpressure is exerted, while in the type referred to the packing will beoperative only when the pressure is outward or in one direction. Again,it has another advantage over the steam or spring actuated packing, inthat the rings are mechanically adjusted so as to preserve a uniform andeven contact with the moving rod, and thus obviate any undue wear orfriction, while in that type of packing wherein the rings are set bysteam or spring pressure the force exerted on the rings is oftentimessufficiently powerful to bind the rings upon the rod with such force asto rapidly cut away and destroy the rings. By turning the worm-shaft thecam-ring is rotated, and operates to force the followers inwardly, andthereby subject the outer peripheries of the packing-rings to a uniformand even inward pressure, and thereby contract their inner diametersufliciently to cause them to snugly engage the piston-rod and form asteam-tight joint there with. New packing-rings may be readily insertedwithout removing the casing fromthe rod, it being simply necessary toloosen the nuts retaining the face-plate in place and move theface-plate on the rod asuflicient distance to allow of the disengagementof the ring seated over the side of the packing-ring. The old rings maybe then removed and new ones replaced.

Instead of making the different parts in the manner shown and described,they may be made in half-sections, to enable them to be applied totherod without disconnecting the latter.

While I have shown and described one form of packing embodyingmyinvention, I do not restrict myself to the exact construction andarrangement of parts shown and described, as it is evident that manyslight changes in the construction and arrangement of parts might beresorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a metallic packing, the combination, with a casing or box andsectional metallic packing-rings located therein, of followers engagingthe rings at different points on their peripheries, and means,.substantially as descr1bed, for imparting simultaneous movement IIO300,653 I I s with a casing or box and metallic packingrings locatedtherein, of radially-adjustable followers, a cam-ring for actuating saidfollowers, and worm-gearing for rotating the camring, substantially asset forth.

4. In a metallic packing, the combination,

with a casing or box and metallic packing- 7 rings located therein, ofradially-adjustable followers and means, substantially as described, forpositively and simultaneously moving said followers either inwardly oroutwardly, substantially as set forth.

5. In a metallic packing, the combination, with a box or casing andmetallic rings located therein, of radially-adj ustable followers, bandsinterposed between the followers and packingrings, and a cam-ring foractuating said followers, substantially as set forth.

6. In a metallic packing, the combination, with a box or casing andmetallic packingrings located therein, of radially-adjustable followersand a cam-ring, said followers and cam-ring being connected by lugs andgrooves, substantially as set forth.

7. In a metallic packing, a box or casing made in two sections, incombination with a cam-ring seated in an annular groove formed on theinterior of said sections, substantially as set forth. 1

8. In a metallic packing, the combination, with a box or casing and acam-ring seated in an annular groove formed within the casing, said ringbeing provided with a segmental worm-gear, of a worm-shaft journaled inbearings formed in a projection formed on the box or casing,substantially as set forth.

9. In a metallic packing, the combination, with a box or casing and'sectional packingrings located therein, of followers engaging thepacking-rings atdifferent points for contracting the packing, andannular ring-bearings seatedagainst the outer face of the packing-rings,substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with a stuffing-box, a

box or casing containing adjustable packingrings, and followers engagingthe rings at different points, of an annular ring-bearing seated againstthe gland of the stuffing-box, and a face-plate for retaining the casingin place, substantially as set forth.

11. A sectional metallic packing-ring for piston andvalve rods, andadapted to be contracted in size to compensate for wear, the ends of thesections being formed with double overlapping joints on the sides andperiphery of the ring, each section of the ring comprising more than ahalf-circle, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination, with a stuffing-box, of a casing provided withmetallic packing, and a face-plate for retaining the casing between thestuffing-box and face-plate, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination, with a stuffing-box and a box or casing containingadjustable metallic packing-rings, the latter engaging the rod outsideof the stuffing-box, of a face-plate and a nut for retaining the box orcasing in place, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination, with a stuffing -box and a laterally-adjustablecasing containing metallic packing-rings seated against the end of thegland of the stuffing-box, of a faceplate and a nut for retaining thepacking rings against displacement, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination, with a rod, of a detachable casing or box providedwith adjustable metallic packing, and means, substantially as described,for allowing the packing a self-lateral adjustment, and for preventingit from moving in the direction of the movement of the rod,substantially as set forth.

16. The combination, with a box or casingprovided with adjustablepacking, of a device, substantially as described, for automaticallycompensating for wear of the bearings between the packing. and the glandor cylinder, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES T. SLEEPER.

Witnesses:

GEO. F. DowNINe, S. G. NOTTINGHAM.

